HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSU ENV. LEARN. CENT. - SITE PLAN ADVISORY REVIEW - 55-98 - CORRESPONDENCE - (5)December 9, 1998
To: Tom Schomaker, Director
City of Fort Collins Natural Resources I
From: Glenn Haas, Director of ELC i^ '
Joe Maurier, Regional Direc CDPO
Subject: Welcome Center Bridge Design
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Umversity
Department of Natured Resource
Recreation and Tourism
College of Natural Resources
Fort Collins, Colorado 80523-1480
(9 70) 49 L-6591
FAX: (970) 491-2255
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We wanted to follow up our conversation about the dimensions of the bridge to access the
proposed new Welcome Center, specifically the Natural Resources issue (b) in Mr. Blanchard's
November l Oth letter to CSU Mr. Kehler pertaining to the need for a 70 foot minimum bridge to
preserve wildlife movement.
In terms of additional information, Boxelder Creek is typically 6 feet wide and averaging 12
inches deep, with the stream corridor being about 20 feet. The proposed bridge
would have a 20 foot inside horizontal span and a 5 foot vertical rise above the water line. The
culvert would be three -sided with footers, and thus the stream bed and corridor would be
maintained as natural as possible.
In discussion with colleagues in State Parks and CSU, a 20 by 5 foot bridge opening would not
impede wildlife movement at all. On the contrary, such a bridge would actually provide valued
wildlife shelter and seclusion from human activity in this area. A larger bridge would lead to a
footpath or human use under the bridge and thus displace wildlife such as raccoons, fox, snakes,
rodents and others.
Presuming that the Natural Resource concern is specifically focused on whitetail deer, our
response is that our local herd does not visit the site now, will not visit the site in the future given
the proposed human activity and development, and any encouragement to do so would constitute
a public safety concern in terms of approaching Interstate 25 or Prospect Street. Even if these
latter points were not the case, we also believe that such a large opening would accommodate
movement of whitetail deer, with the possible exception of a large anterled buck.
We respectfully ask that you reconsider your condition for a 70 foot bridge across the Boxelder
Creek. Thank you Tom!
CC: Gerry Bomotti